Real estate industry icon and longtime Urban Land Institute leader Gerald D. Hines, founder and chairman of the Houston-based Hines real estate organization, has been named the honorary chairman of ULI’s 2015 Spring Meeting, set for May 13–14 at the Hilton Americas Houston.
The meeting, which will focus on creative community-building for the 21st century, will include an emphasis on communities that have built on their strengths in the postrecession years to be economically prosperous, environmentally sound, and highly livable. Houston’s booming energy economy, technology and research jobs, downtown neighborhood revitalization, light rail, bikeway, and green-space additions are all contributing to the city’s success in positioning itself as a vibrant place to live and work. It earned the highest ranking among 75 U.S. markets for investment and development prospects in 2015, according to the industry forecast Emerging Trends in Real Estate, which is copublished by ULI and PwC.
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The Spring Meeting typically draws up to 3,000 of the world’s foremost industry professionals from around the world. The 2015 event marks the first time since 1992 that one of ULI’s two major annual all-member meetings has been held in Houston, which is where Gerald Hines founded his company in 1957. Fifty-seven years later, the Hines organization now controls assets valued at more than $28.2 billion, and has a presence in more than 118 cities around the world. It has established a reputation for the highest-quality design, development, and property management practices. Hines is the Icon sponsor of the 2015 Spring Meeting.
“We are delighted to bring ULI to such a dynamic city, and we are particularly honored to have Gerry Hines chairing the event,” said ULI Global Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Phillips. “He and his organization are recognized around the world for creativity, innovation, and excellence. Starting with his work in Houston, Gerry has consistently raised the bar for real estate, and for leadership in our industry and our Institute.”
Hines, a member of ULI since 1960, was the 2002 recipient of the ULI J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development, which is the Institute’s highest honor. His close involvement with ULI includes his endowment of the ULI Gerald Hines Student Urban Design Competition, which challenges interdisciplinary teams of graduate students to create development schemes for actual sites in urban areas. Since the competition began in 2003, more than 6,200 students on nearly 1,200 teams have participated. In 2012, the tenth year of the competition, Houston’s high-profile downtown post office property was the competition site. The winning proposal, submitted by a joint team from the University of Colorado and Harvard University, called for redevelopment that includes public open space, integrates into the existing fabric of the surrounding neighborhoods, and brings residential units into the city’s core. “I am more convinced than ever that the future of the built environment is in very capable hands,” Hines said at the time.
The chairmen of the host committee for ULI’s Spring Meeting are ULI trustee and former ULI Houston Chairman Jonathan H. Brinsden, chief executive officer of Midway; and Thomas D. Owens, ULI trustee and senior managing director and chief risk officer for Hines.
“Houston has evolved into a truly global city with numerous amenities that hold broad appeal for both residents and visitors,” Brinsden said. “Its incredible cultural diversity and strong economy make it a great city with a bright future.”
Owens added, “Our city is thinking ahead and acting progressively to stay competitive in the global economy. We look forward to showing ULI all that Houston has to offer as a 21st-century city.”
Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who has guided the city’s progress for the past several years, is a former fellow of ULI’s Rose Center for Public Leadership. During her 2010–2011 term as a fellow, she and other Houston public officials worked with the Rose Center to develop new tools for redeveloping aging multifamily structures and creating community development initiatives in moderate-income neighborhoods at risk of decline.
